By Daily Press staff
DOWNTOWN — A major bank contributed more than $220,000 to nonprofit organizations in Santa Monica last year, it was announced this week.
The awards — which totaled $220,610 — were given by Wells Fargo Bank to 16 nonprofits providing everything from support for children’s arts programs to funding for affordable family housing, needy children, adults and senior citizens.
Beneficiaries included the Special Olympics, Step Up On Second, Angel’s Flight West, Performing Arts for Children, the Santa Monica City College Foundation, the California Heritage Museum and Roosevelt Elementary School, among others.
“We cannot underestimate the small and often overlooked miracles that nonprofits perform in our communities everyday,” said Shelley Benson, president of marketing, in a prepared statement. “Wells Fargo and other funding sources must remain committed to supporting the miracle workers in our communities, whose contributions make a world of difference to the people who need them the most.”
Wells Fargo — which has assets totaling $388 billion — contributed $10 million to nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and west San Bernardino counties last year, making it the largest corporate contributor to nonprofits in the greater Los Angeles area, bank officials said. Nationwide, the company donated $83 million to more than 14,000 nonprofits in 2003.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 24, 2004. Read the original PDF.